Multi-angle carcass wash systems, wash cabinets including same, and related methods

ABSTRACT

A multi-angle wash system for cleaning carcass, wherein the wash system comprises a multi-angle fluid distribution unit; a rotating unit; a spray unit fluidly and operably coupled to the multi-angle fluid distribution unit; and a guiding unit operably coupled to the spray unit or the multi-angle fluid distribution unit. The multi-angle fluid distribution unit comprises a connecting element that is configured to operably couple with the spray unit such that the spray unit oscillates in correspondence to the rotation of the rotating unit. The spray unit comprises a guiding element and nozzle sprays. The guiding unit comprises a co-guiding element that has a reciprocate structure to the guiding element of the spray unit such that the guiding unit facilitates the oscillation of the spray unit in correspondence to the rotation of the rotating unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/667,508 filed Oct. 29, 2019 (now U.S. Pat. No. 11,412,748) which is adivisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/052,357 filed Aug. 1,2018 (now U.S. Pat. No. 10,455,843) of which are incorporated byreference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to apparatuses andprocesses for cleaning an animal carcass and, more particularly, tomulti-angle wash systems used in, for example, supplying wash fluid toat least a portion of animal carcass in slaughter facilities.

BACKGROUND

Slaughter facilities utilize a variety of wash systems and cabinets toclean animal carcasses. Wash systems that spray pressurized jets ofwater onto animal carcasses are generally known within the industry.Particular to slaughter facilities for large animals, such as beef orpork, wash systems have long been used which include a number of spacedapart spray bars, each bar having a plurality of openings or spraynozzles through which pressurized water is sprayed directly onto ananimal carcass to remove debris, blood and the like. Wash systems mayinclude two (2) or more spray bars spaced apart to form an alleyway.Carcasses, often hanging from shackles, are transported through thealleyway between the rows of spray bars so that the carcass are washed.As the carcasses travel through the alleyway, they are subjected to thepressurized water spray that is emitted from the spray nozzles on thespray bars.

It is also common for the spray bars to be mounted on racks to form asprayer wall assembly. Multiple spray bars are spaced apart and alignedsuch that the spray nozzles on each spray bar are generally oriented inthe same direction, aimed generally inward the alley way. The animalcarcasses are transported between the spaced apart sprayer walls suchthat the carcass is washed.

A large amount of wash fluid is required to sufficiently clean animalcarcass, and consequently a large volume of fluid waste is generated.This fluid waste cannot easily be disposed, or recirculated and reusedif contamination is to be avoided. In addition, there are portions ofcarcass surface that are not contacted with wash fluid

Accordingly, there is a need for a wash system that improves theeffectiveness in cleaning carcass, while reducing the volume of washfluid required for washing carcass and reducing the volume of fluidwaste.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a multi-angle wash system according toan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a multi-angle fluid distribution unitaccording to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of a multi-angle fluid distributionunit according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4A-4B shows the guiding element of spray unit and the co-guidingelement of guiding unit according to an exemplary embodiment of thepresent disclosure, wherein FIG. 4A shows the guiding element of sprayunit, and FIG. 4B shows the guiding element resting in the co-guidingelement of guiding unit.

FIG. 5A-5C is a top view showing carcass is conveyed in a directionthrough the multi-angle wash systems 100 from the positions in FIG. 5Ato FIG. 5B, and then FIG. 5C, according to an exemplary embodiment ofthe disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a magnified perspective view of a multi-angle wash system inFIG. 5A.

FIG. 7 is a magnified perspective view of a multi-angle wash system inFIG. 5B.

FIG. 8 is a magnified perspective view of a multi-angle wash system inFIG. 5C.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a wash cabinet according to an exemplaryembodiment of the present disclosure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In some embodiments, a multi-angle wash system for use in a slaughterfacility that can clean carcass more thoroughly and with a reducedvolume of wash fluid is provided. The wash systems and cabinets of thepresent disclosure and their related methods of operation improve uponconventional wash systems and cabinets by offering similar or improvedrinse performance using lower volumes of wash fluid, and thus generatingless fluid waste. Through the use of multi-angle wash system,substantially the entire exterior surface of carcass can be exposed tototal spray coverage, even at a reduced volume of wash fluid.

The term “carcass” as used in herein means the whole body or portions ofan animal after exsanguination. The carcass can be of the followinganimals: bovine, porcine, equine, caprine, ovine, avian animals, or anyother animal commonly slaughtered for food production. Bovine animalsinclude, but are not limited to, buffalo and all cattle. Porcine animalsinclude, but are not limited to, feeder pigs and breeding pigs. Ovineanimals include, but are not limited to, sheep such as rams and lambs.Caprine animals include, but are not limited to, goats. Avian animalsinclude, but are not limited to, chickens, turkeys, and ostriches.Portions of animal may include, but are not limited to, head and tongue.

As used herein, any relational terms, such as “first”, “second” and“third”; or “top” and “bottom”; or “front” and “back”, etc., are usedfor clarity and convenience in understanding the present disclosure andaccompanying drawings. These terms do not connote or depend on anyspecific preference or orientation. Rather, the terms are used herein todistinguish one element from another.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout thedescription and the claims, the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and thelike are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to anexclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in a sense of “including,but not limited to.” When the claims use the word “or” in reference to alist of two or more items, that word covers all a the followinginterpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of theitems in the list, and any combination of the items in the list.

FIG. 1 shows a multi-angle wash system according to one embodiment ofthe present disclosure. The multi-angle wash system 100 includes amulti-angle fluid distribution unit 120, a rotating unit 140 operablycoupled to the multi-angle fluid distribution unit 120, a spray unit 160fluidly and operably coupled to the multi-angle fluid distribution unit120, and a guiding unit 180 operably coupled to the spray unit 160. Therotating unit 140 and the guiding unit 180 may be secured, for example,to the floor or ledge of a wash cabinet. Although FIG. 1 shows that theguiding unit 180 is operably coupled to the spray unit 160, it isunderstood that in some embodiments of present disclosure the guidingunit 180 may be operably coupled to the multi-angle fluid distributionunit 120.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective drawing of a multi-angle fluid distributionunit 120 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. Themulti-angle fluid distribution unit 120 comprises a front end 122, aback end 124 opposite to the front end 122, a connecting element 126adjacent to the back end 124. The front end 122 is operably coupled tothe rotating unit 140 (shown in FIG. 1 ). As shown in FIG. 1 , theconnecting element 126 is configured to operably couple with the sprayunit 160 such that the spray unit 160 oscillates in response to therotation of the rotating unit 140. FIG. 3 shows a cross sectionaldrawing of a multi-angle fluid distribution unit according to oneembodiment of the present disclosure. In some embodiments as shown inFIG. 3 , the multi-angle fluid distribution unit 120 may furthercomprises at least one opening 128 as the outlet for wash fluid.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the spray unit 160 comprises a top end 162, abottom end 164 operably coupled to the connecting element 126 of themulti-angle fluid distribution unit 120, a guiding element 166 adjacentto the bottom end 164, and at least one series of nozzle sprays 168arranged in vertical direction along the length of the spray unit 160.The top end 162 is configured to fluidly couple with a fluid supply. Thespray nozzle 168 may be selected to provide a spray pattern optimizedfor cleaning carcass. Furthermore, the spray nozzles 168 may beconfigured in any number of ways depending on desired nozzle spraypatterns. In some embodiments, the spray nozzles 168 are designed toemit a flat or planar, fan-shaped spray pattern which applies asubstantially uniform force per unit area across the carcass surfacearea it contacts. Additionally, the spray nozzles 168 may be arrangedsuch that the fan-shaped spray patterns emitted therefrom collectivelyform a composite spray pattern which directs foreign matter downwardlyand off the carcass surface as it sweeps laterally across the carcass.

In some embodiments, the wash system 100 may further comprise a motor170 and a linkage member 172, whereby the linkage member 172mechanically interconnects the motor 170 to each nozzle spray 168 on thespray unit 160.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the guiding unit 180 is positioned near the backend 124 of the multi-angle fluid distribution unit 120 and operablycoupled with to the spray unit 160. In a particular embodiment, theguiding unit 180 comprises a first end 182, a second end 184, and aco-guiding element 186 adjacent to the first end 182. The co-guidingelement 186 of the guiding unit 180 has a reciprocate structure to theguiding element 166 of the spray unit 160, such that the guiding unit180 facilitates the oscillation of the spray unit 160 in correspondenceto the rotation of the rotating unit 140. In some embodiments as shownin FIG. 1 , the co-guiding element 186 may be a protruding structureadjacent to the first end 182 of the guiding unit 180, while the guidingelement 166 of the spray unit 160 may be a longitudinally extended slot.The guiding slot 166 may have a width slightly larger than a diameter ofthe co-guiding protruding element 186, such that the co-guidingprotruding element 186 is allowed to slide forward and rearward in theguiding slot 166.

FIG. 4 shows the guiding element 166 of the spray unit 160 and theco-guiding element 186 of the guiding unit according to anotherexemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4A shows thepartial drawing of the spray unit 160, which includes a bottom end 164that is configured to operably couple with the multi-angle fluiddistribution unit, and a guiding element 166 that is an extended rod.FIG. 4B shows the co-guiding element 186 of the guiding unit that has aslot structure to support and guide the guiding element 166.

In some embodiments, wash fluid comprises water. When desired, washfluid may further comprise an antimicrobial chemical. Wash fluid may beprovided at a temperature of from about room temperature to an elevatedtemperature. In some embodiments, wash fluid may be provided at atemperature from about 33° F. to about 40° F. In other embodiments, washfluid may be provided at a temperature of at least 180° F., preferablyfrom about 180° F. to about 210° F., more preferably from about 180° F.to about 190° F.

Additional embodiments include methods of washing a carcass. Anexemplary method includes conveying carcass 200 in a direction throughat least one pair of the multi-angle wash systems 100, such that thedistance between the carcass 200 and the nozzle sprays 168 of the sprayunit 160 remains substantially the same throughout the period thatcarcass 200 is passed through the at least one pair of multi-angle washsystems 100, which maintains the pressure of the wash contacting thesurface of the carcass substantially consistent.

Referring to FIG. 5 , a pair of multi-angle wash systems 100 accordingto one embodiment of the present disclosure is shown having carcass 200attached to a conveyor 300 that is configured to transport carcass 200through the multi-angle wash system 100. The wash system 100 includesspray nozzles 168 to direct the spray 400 of wash fluid onto carcass200. As shown in FIG. 6 to FIG. 8 , the wash system 100 includes amulti-angle fluid distribution unit 120 operably coupled to a rotatingunit 140 that is configured to rotate relative to moving of the conveyor300. Thus, the spray nozzles 168 oscillate along with carcass 200 on theconveyor 300 as shown in FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C to dean the carcass fromvarious angles while maintaining a substantially consistent pressure.

In FIG. 5A, carcass 200 is shown at a first location on the conveyor300, and the spray nozzles 168 on the spray unit of the multi-angle washsystem 100 is shown in a first moving position with fluid spray 400directed primarily on a leading surface of carcass 200. FIG. 6 is amagnified perspective view of a multi-angle wash system 100 accordanceto FIG. 5A. As shown in FIG. 6 , the co-guiding element 186 of theguiding unit 180 slides rearward in the guiding slot 166 to facilitatethe oscillation of the spray unit 160 such that the spray nozzles 168emit fluid spray 400 toward the leading surface of carcass 200.

In FIG. 5B, carcass 200 is shown at a second location on the conveyor300, and the spray nozzles 168 on the spray unit of the multi-angle washsystems 100 are shown in a second moving position with fluid spray 400directed primarily on the middle surface of the carcass 200. FIG. 7 is amagnified perspective view of a multi-angle wash system 100 accordanceto FIG. 5B. As shown in FIG. 7 , the co-guiding element 186 of theguiding unit 180 slides forward in the guiding slot 166 to facilitatethe oscillation of the spray unit 160 such that the spray nozzles 168emit fluid spray 400 toward the middle surface of carcass 200. In orderto maintain the distance between the spray nozzles 168 and the contactedsurface of carcass 200 constant (i.e., to be substantially the same inFIG. 5B as in FIG. 5A), the rotating unit 140 moves the multi-anglefluid distribution unit 120 as well as the spray unit 160 attachedthereto, such that the co-guiding element 186 of the guiding unit 180slides forward in the guiding slot 166. This permits the fluiddistribution unit 120 as well as the spray unit 160 to move laterallyand in a arcuate fashion to follow the moving carcass 200 through themulti-angle wash system 100.

In FIG. 5C, carcass 200 is shown at a third location on the conveyor300, and the spray nozzles 168 on the spray unit of the multi-angle washsystem 100 is shown in a third moving position with fluid spray 400directed primarily on the tailing surface of carcass 200. FIG. 8 is amagnified perspective view of a multi-angle wash system 100 accordanceto FIG. 5C. As shown in FIG. 8 , the co-guiding element 186 of theguiding unit 180 slides rearward in the guiding slot 166 to facilitatethe oscillation of the spray unit 160 such that the spray nozzles 168emit fluid spray 400 toward the trailing surface of carcass 200. Inorder to maintain the distance between the spray nozzles 168 and thecontacted surface of carcass 200 in FIG. 5C constant (i.e., to be thesame as in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B), the rotating unit 140 moves themulti-angle fluid distribution unit 120 as well as the spray unit 160attached thereto, such that the co-guiding element 186 of the guidingunit 180 slides rearward in the guiding slot 166.

In the disclosed wash systems 100, the spray nozzles 168 oscillate alongwith carcass 200 on the conveyor 300 as carcass 200 moves pass the washsystem 100, such that the distance between the nozzle sprays 168 and thecontacted surface of carcass 200 remains substantially the samethroughout the period that carcass 200 is passed through the washsystems 100. As the distance between the nozzle sprays 168 and thecontacted surface of carcass 200 remains substantially the same, thecontacted surfaces of carcass 200 are subjected to substantially thesame level of pressure from the wash fluid throughout the washingprocess. Furthermore, this allows for all exterior surfaces of thecarcass to be substantially contacted with the spray of wash fluid,resulting in an increased efficacy of the cleaning and/or a reducedvolume of required wash fluid as compared to the conventional washsystem known in the art.

As carcass 200 is passed through the wash systems 100, the multi-anglefluid distribution unit 120 of the wash system may return to itsoriginal location (e.g., first moving position as in FIG. 5A) such thatthe fluid spray 400 is directed primarily on a leading surface of thenext carcass. In a particular embodiment, the flow of fluid may betemporarily stopped when the wash system 100 returns to its originallocation (FIG. 5A) from its third location (FIG. 5C) in order to furtherconserve use of fluid or water.

In yet additional embodiments, the present disclosure includes a washcabinet for use in a slaughter facility. FIG. 9 shows a wash cabinetaccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The cabinetassembly 500 comprises a pair of opposed side walls 520, 540 defining anentrance 501 and an exit 502 of the wash cabinet 500, and a conveyor 300for carrying carcasses 200, 200′, 200″ into the entrance 501 and out theexit 502. The cabinet assembly 500 further comprises at least a pair ofthe multi-angle wash systems 100 placed along the corresponding sidewall 520, 540. The rotating unit of the multi-angle wash systems 100 maybe configured to rotate in correspondence to the conveyor 300.

In alternative embodiments, an electrostatic spray coating system may beused with the aforementioned embodiments of the wash system. Anysuitable electrostatic spray coating system may be employed, such as asystem wherein coating particles (e.g., antimicrobial fluid orsanitizer) are emitted from a spray device (e.g., an electrostaticsprayer or nozzle) toward a carcass to be coated. The system may be inthe form of any suitable apparatus for applying an electrostaticenhanced particle or compound. The coating particles may be in the formof a powder transported to the spray device in a fluid stream such asair, or in the form of liquid, or the like. The coating particles may beatomized by the spray device utilizing conventional air atomization,hydraulic atomization, and/or rotary atomization. The spray device mayinclude one or more electrodes which cause the particles emitted by thespray device to carry an electrostatic charge such that when the chargedparticles are propelled by the spray device toward the carcass, which ismaintained at an electrostatic potential different than that of thecharged coating particles, the coating particles will be deposited onthe carcass with improved efficiency and coverage. The electrical chargetransfer mechanism may involve contact charging, corona charging,inductive charging, and/or ionization, etc. in accordance with chargingprinciples which are well known in the electrostatic coating field. In aparticular embodiment, a carcass is conveyed in a direction through atleast one pair of the multi-angle electrostatic systems such that thedistance between the head and tongue and the nozzle sprays of themulti-angle sanitizing systems remains substantially the same throughoutthe period that the carcass is passed through the at least one pair ofmulti-angle sanitizing systems.

The above detailed descriptions of embodiments of the disclosure are notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdisclosed above. Although specific embodiments of, and examples for, thedisclosure are described above for illustrative purposes, variousequivalent modifications are possible within the scope of thedisclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Forexample, the various embodiments described herein can be combined toprovide further embodiments.

In general, the terms used in the following claims should not beconstrued to limit the disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosedin the specification, unless the above detailed description explicitlydefines such terms. While certain aspects of the disclosure arepresented below in certain claim forms, the inventors contemplate thevarious aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms.Accordingly, the inventors reserve the right to add additional claimsafter filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms forother aspects of the invention.

We claim:
 1. A multi-angle wash system, comprising: a multi-angle fluiddistribution unit; a rotating unit operably coupled to the multi-anglefluid distribution unit; a spray unit fluidly and operably coupled tothe multi-angle fluid distribution unit; and a guiding unit operablycoupled to the spray unit or the multi-angle fluid distribution unit,wherein the multi-angle fluid distribution unit comprises a front endoperably coupled to the rotating unit, a back end opposite to the frontend, and a connecting element adjacent to the back end, and wherein theconnecting element is configured to operably couple with the spray unitor the multi-angle fluid distribution unit such that the spray unitoscillates in correspondence to the rotation of the rotating unit,wherein the spray unit comprises a top end, a bottom end operablycoupled to the connecting element of the multi-angle fluid distributionunit, a guiding element adjacent to the bottom end, and at least oneseries of nozzle sprays arranged in vertical direction along the lengthof the spray unit, wherein the guiding unit comprises a first end, asecond end, and a co-guiding element adjacent to the first end of theguiding unit, wherein the guiding element has a reciprocate structure tothe guiding element of the spray unit such that the guiding unitfacilitates the oscillation of the spray unit in correspondence to therotation of the rotating unit; and wherein the rotating unit and theguiding unit are secured to a cabinet.
 2. The wash system of claim 1,wherein the guiding unit is operably coupled to the spray unit.
 3. Thewash system of claim 1, wherein the top end of the spray unit isconfigured to fluidly couple with a fluid supply.
 4. The wash system ofclaim 1, further comprising a motor and a linkage member, wherein thelinkage member mechanically interconnects the motor to each nozzle sprayon the spray unit.
 5. The wash system of claim 1, wherein the co-guidingelement is a protruding structure and the guiding element is alongitudinally extended slot, and wherein the guiding slot has a widthslightly larger than a diameter of the co-guiding protruding elementsuch that the co-guiding protruding element can slide forward andrearward in the guiding slot.
 6. The wash system of claim 1, wherein theguiding element is an extended rod and the co-guiding element has a slotstructure that is configured to support and guide the guiding element.7. The wash system of claim 1, further comprising of an apparatus forapplying electrostatic enhanced fluid.
 8. The wash system of claim 1,wherein the spray unit comprises an electrostatic sprayer.
 9. A methodof cleaning carcass, comprising conveying a carcass in a directionthrough at least one pair of the multi-angle wash systems of claim 1such that the distance between the carcass and the nozzle sprays of themulti-angle wash systems remains substantially the same throughout theperiod that carcass is passed through the at least one pair ofmulti-angle wash systems.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein therotating unit of the wash system is configured to rotate relative to themoving of conveyor such that the spray nozzles of the wash systemoscillate along with carcass on the conveyor.
 11. The method of claim10, comprising moving the carcass to a first location on a conveyor,wherein the spray nozzles of the multi-angle wash system are in a firstmoving position to direct the spray of wash fluid primarily onto aleading surface of carcass.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein theco-guiding element of the wash system is a protruding structure and theguiding element of the wash system is a longitudinally extended slot,and wherein the co-guiding element slides rearward in the guiding slotto facilitate the oscillation of the spray unit such that the spraynozzles emit the spray of wash fluid primarily onto the leading surfaceof the carcass.
 13. The method of claim 11, further comprising movingthe carcass to a second location on the conveyor, wherein the spraynozzles of the multi-angle wash system are in a second moving positionto direct the spray of wash fluid primarily onto a middle surface ofcarcass.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein the co-guiding element ofthe wash system is a protruding structure and the guiding element of thewash system is a longitudinally extended slot, and wherein theco-guiding element slides forward in the guiding slot to facilitate theoscillation of the spray unit such that the spray nozzles emit the sprayof wash fluid primarily onto the middle surface of the carcass.
 15. Themethod of claim 13, further comprising moving the carcass to a thirdlocation on the conveyor, wherein the spray nozzles of the multi-anglewash system are in a third moving position to direct the spray of washfluid primarily onto a tailing surface of carcass.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the co-guiding element of the wash system is aprotruding structure and the guiding element of the wash system is alongitudinally extended slot, and wherein the co-guiding element slidesrearward in the guiding slot to facilitate the oscillation of the sprayunit such that the spray nozzles emit the spray of wash fluid primarilyonto the tailing surface of the carcass.
 17. The method of claim 9,wherein the spray nozzles of the wash systems oscillate along with thecarcass on the conveyor as the carcass moves pass the wash systems, suchthat the distance between the nozzle sprays and the contacted surface ofcarcass remains substantially the same throughout the period that thecarcass is passed through the wash systems.
 18. The method of claim 9,further comprising conveying the carcass in a direction through at leastone pair of the multi-angle electrostatic systems.
 19. A wash cabinet,comprising: a pair of opposed side walls defining an entrance and anexit of the wash cabinet; a conveyor for carrying carcass into theentrance and out the exit of the wash cabinet; and at least a pair ofthe multi-angle wash systems according to claim 1 placed along thecorresponding side walls, wherein the rotating unit of the multi-anglewash systems is configured to rotate in correspondence to the conveyor.